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Chapter President Edmund Davidson awarded Craigsville VA Officer Corey Wood with the SAR Life Saving Medal on August 6 at the Craigsville Town Hall (see photo below).. On June 6, 2020, Officer Wood, on his own, searched for and rescued two children from a car that had plummeted into a ravine. Tragically, the mother of the two children did not survive the accident. Submitted by Edmund Davidson. 
2 Comments
  The 2020 Atlantic Middle States Association Meeting, our District Meeting, will be held from 9:00am to about 12:00pm on Saturday, August 8th, via a Zoom link that will be provided. More details will follow, but please let the Virginia SAR President know if you are planing to participate and to receive the details of the Zoom Link.
On 26 July 2020, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution presented Robbie Voorheis as it's annual Eagle Scout Essay Contest winner. The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Eagle Scout Recognition and Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding Eagle Scouts. The program is open to all Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active unit and have not reached his 19th birthday during the year of application. There are three levels of competition in the SAR program. These are Chapter, State and National. The application includes a 500 word essay on a patriotic theme and a four generation genealogy chart. Eagle Scout Voorheis was selected from 17 scouts in the competition. The presentation ceremony included a Color Guard presentation of the American, Virginia State, SAR and Chapter flags. He was presented with the SAR Chapter Eagle Scout Medal, SAR Eagle Scout Patch, Certificate of Recognition and a $100 check. The ceremony was held at the Wayside Inn, Middletown, Virginia. Present with Voorheis was his father, Mark Voorheis, 28 SAR compatriots and 3 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Present in colonial attire for the CJWII Chapter were compatriots President Marc Robinson, VASSAR President Bill Schwetke, Vice President Chip Daniel, CJWII Past Presidents Brett Osborn and Dale Corey, compatriots Paul Christensen, Kelly Ford, Art LaFlam, Tom Reed and Jim Simmons. Pictured is Robbie Voorheis, winner of the Colonel James Wood II Chapter Eagle Scout Essay Contest. |
| Lee Popham of the Florida Society won the Jamestown Knife. | John Dodd of the California S0ciety won the Yorktown Knife. |
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The Powder Horns Were Won By:
1st Choice - Tom Badamo, Virginia Society
2nd Choice - Joe Vancura, Georgia Society
1st Choice - Tom Badamo, Virginia Society
2nd Choice - Joe Vancura, Georgia Society
Medals, Brooches, and Lapel Pins are also still available on the 2020 SAR National Congress Website.
SubmitOn 5 July, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) held an event at the Warren County Administrative Building in Front Royal to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The CJWII commemoration was led by the chapter color guard presenting the colors with an invocation by Larry Johnson and the Pledge of Allegiance led by compatriot Fred Gill. Chapter President Marc Robinson provided opening remarks. Compatriot Nathan Poe presented a brief vignette of Thomas Jefferson on his death bed 50 years after the Congress adopted the document. He was followed by Compatriot Charles Jameson giving a presentation on two African-American patriots who made great contributions for the colonies during the War of Independence. This was followed by seven compatriots reading the Declaration of Independence. They were Chapter President Marc Robinson, Compatriot Brett Osborn, Virginia State President Bill Schwetke, Compatriot Sean Carrigan, Chapter Vice President Chip Daniel, Compatriot Erick Moore and Compatriot Dale Corey. A list of patriots buried in Warren County was read with wreath presentations by Compatriots Fred Gill and Charles Jameson. This was followed by a musket salute fired by Marc Robinson, Brett Osborn, Sean Carrigan, Erick Moore, Mike Dennis, Eric Robinson and Art LaFlam.
The first picture is of compatriots who participated in the ceremony. Front row l-r are Nathan Poe, Sean Carrigan, Eric Robinson and Art LaFlam. Back row l-r are Brett Osborn, Dale Corey, Erick Moore, Mike Dennis, Bill Schwetke, Charles Jameson, Chip Daniel and Marc Robinson. The second picture is of the musket squad, l-r Marc Robinson, Brett Osborn, Sean Carrigan, Bill Schwetke, Erick Moore, Mike Dennis, Eric Robinson and Art LaFlam.
Submitted by Dale Corey.
The first picture is of compatriots who participated in the ceremony. Front row l-r are Nathan Poe, Sean Carrigan, Eric Robinson and Art LaFlam. Back row l-r are Brett Osborn, Dale Corey, Erick Moore, Mike Dennis, Bill Schwetke, Charles Jameson, Chip Daniel and Marc Robinson. The second picture is of the musket squad, l-r Marc Robinson, Brett Osborn, Sean Carrigan, Bill Schwetke, Erick Moore, Mike Dennis, Eric Robinson and Art LaFlam.
Submitted by Dale Corey.
04 Jul 2020 Culpeper, VA
 Culpeper Mayor Michael T. Olinger |  Master of Ceremonies Culpeper Minutemen Chapter President Charles Jameson |  District 30 Delegate Nick Freitas |
The Town of Culpeper cancelled all of their planned Independence Day activities for pandemic considerations, but insisted on keeping the SAR Ceremony and the traditional Fireworks Display.
The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter hosted the Celebration of our Declaration of Independence on the Courthouse Lawn with a crowd of over 100 looking on. Distinguished participants in the ceremony were Benjamin Franklin (portrayed by our friend Barry Stevens), Culpeper Mayor Michael Olinger, District 30 Delegate Nick Freitas, and Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke. Four Virginia SAR Chapters participated: the Culpeper Minutemen, Colonel James Wood II, Colonel William Grayson and the Fairfax Resolves. The Culpeper Minute Men Chapter DAR also participated in the ceremony and the Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR provided support. CMM President Charles Jameson was the Master of Ceremonies, Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke brought greetings from the Virginia Society, Tom Hamill read the Declaration of Independence, and CMM Chaplain Len Cowherd provided the invocation and benediction. Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner led the Color Guard in posting the colors and firing a three-volley salute.
The Culpeper Minutemen Chapter hosted the Celebration of our Declaration of Independence on the Courthouse Lawn with a crowd of over 100 looking on. Distinguished participants in the ceremony were Benjamin Franklin (portrayed by our friend Barry Stevens), Culpeper Mayor Michael Olinger, District 30 Delegate Nick Freitas, and Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke. Four Virginia SAR Chapters participated: the Culpeper Minutemen, Colonel James Wood II, Colonel William Grayson and the Fairfax Resolves. The Culpeper Minute Men Chapter DAR also participated in the ceremony and the Fauquier Court House Chapter DAR provided support. CMM President Charles Jameson was the Master of Ceremonies, Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke brought greetings from the Virginia Society, Tom Hamill read the Declaration of Independence, and CMM Chaplain Len Cowherd provided the invocation and benediction. Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner led the Color Guard in posting the colors and firing a three-volley salute.
One of the three musket volleys. Left to right: Sean Carrigan, Michael Dennis, Eric Robinson, and Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner.
 | For a special treat we also recruited a drummer from Culpeper High School, Josh Nesperson, who supported the Color Guard. |
The program opened promptly at 1:00pm with a Fly-By of four WWII aircraft from the Commemorative Air Force. Further highlights of the program included our remembering "Forgotten Patriots" with bios read in tribute to African-American and Native American Patriots; Remarks on the Declaration by Ben Franklin (portrayed by Barry Stevens); and a passionate reading of the Declaration of Independence by Tom Hamill.
 Evelyn Madden |  Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, NSDAR Regent Carol Simpson |  Rozanne Edrington, Culpeper Minute Men Chapter NSDAR |
 |  Sally Humphries, Culpeper Minute Men Chapter, NSDAR | |
 Ben Franklin, portrayed by Barry Stevens |  |  Tom Hamill |
Late Compatriot Lon Lacey's Family receives his Leadership Award from the Town of Culpeper. Left to right: Lon Lacey III, Jill Lacey, Alan Lacey, Maggie Lacey, Mary Margaret Lacey, Mayor Olinger.
During the celebration Culpeper Mayor Michael T. Olinger presented the Town of Culpeper's Leadership Award to our late compatriot Lon Lacey. Lon's family was present to receive the award.
Briefly removing masks for the picture, the SAR Participants included, kneeling left to right: Andrew A. Mills, Eric Robinson, Sean Carrigan, Virginia SAR Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner. Standing, left to right" Marc Robinson, Mike Weyler, Dale COrey, Ben Franklin (portrayed by Barry Stevens), Michael Dennis, CMM President Charles Jameson, Virginia SAR President Bill Schwetke, Andrew L. Mills, Tom Hamill.
On July 4th 2020 the George Washington Chapter conducted their 59th annual wreath laying at George Washington’s tomb at Mount Vernon in a very innovative manner -- partly live and partly recorded, for a two-part virtual commemoration.
Earlier in the morning a select group of 10 SAR and DAR members conducted a live wreath laying ceremony at the tomb that was recorded for later viewing. The participants in the activity were: Chapter Vice-President Tom Roth, who served as Master of Ceremonies; VASSAR President Bill Schwetke, who presented greetings from SAR; Chapter co-Historian Jack Coulter, who served as co-wreath bearer to the tomb, along with Bill Schwetke; Chapter Treasurer Richard Rankin and Chapter Compatriot Don Francisco (also fifer-in-residence at Mount Vernon), who jointly presented red carnations to George Washington’s tomb; DAR representatives Dr. Sharla Rausch and Catherine Schwetke, who jointly presented pink carnations to Martha Washington’s tomb; Chapter Secretary Rand Pixa, who served as videographer for the ceremony; and Ken Bonner and Jason Northam who served as the VASSAR Color Guard. In addition, we were honored to have the presence of Mount Vernon CEO Doug Bradburn who spoke on the patriotic significance of the event.
Later that morning the George Washington Chapter hosted a virtual commemoration of the wreath laying by Zoom, with nearly 100 SAR, DAR and CAR members participating. The event included the normal SAR meeting protocols, with the additional remote playing of patriotic music by two musicians from the Frederick Town Fife and Drum Corps. As a bonus, the winner of the Rumbaugh Oration Contest Lauren Bradshaw presented a video recording of her stirring oration from the VASSAR Congress. The commemoration included the virtual presentation of additional wreaths from eight other SAR chapters, 26 DAR districts and chapters, and nine CAR societies.
Just before the SAR recessional, the video replay of the tomb ceremony was shown to the attendees at the Zoom meeting (see video below).
Submitted by Jack Coulter.
Earlier in the morning a select group of 10 SAR and DAR members conducted a live wreath laying ceremony at the tomb that was recorded for later viewing. The participants in the activity were: Chapter Vice-President Tom Roth, who served as Master of Ceremonies; VASSAR President Bill Schwetke, who presented greetings from SAR; Chapter co-Historian Jack Coulter, who served as co-wreath bearer to the tomb, along with Bill Schwetke; Chapter Treasurer Richard Rankin and Chapter Compatriot Don Francisco (also fifer-in-residence at Mount Vernon), who jointly presented red carnations to George Washington’s tomb; DAR representatives Dr. Sharla Rausch and Catherine Schwetke, who jointly presented pink carnations to Martha Washington’s tomb; Chapter Secretary Rand Pixa, who served as videographer for the ceremony; and Ken Bonner and Jason Northam who served as the VASSAR Color Guard. In addition, we were honored to have the presence of Mount Vernon CEO Doug Bradburn who spoke on the patriotic significance of the event.
Later that morning the George Washington Chapter hosted a virtual commemoration of the wreath laying by Zoom, with nearly 100 SAR, DAR and CAR members participating. The event included the normal SAR meeting protocols, with the additional remote playing of patriotic music by two musicians from the Frederick Town Fife and Drum Corps. As a bonus, the winner of the Rumbaugh Oration Contest Lauren Bradshaw presented a video recording of her stirring oration from the VASSAR Congress. The commemoration included the virtual presentation of additional wreaths from eight other SAR chapters, 26 DAR districts and chapters, and nine CAR societies.
Just before the SAR recessional, the video replay of the tomb ceremony was shown to the attendees at the Zoom meeting (see video below).
Submitted by Jack Coulter.
SCROLL DOWN FOR INFORMATION ON LODGING AND MEALS
Compatriots,
This is to announce the calling of two Special Meetings and post the proposed amendment to the Virginia SAR Bylaws that will be considered at these meetings.
Both meetings will consider the following proposed amendment to the Virginia SAR Bylaws:
The Bylaws of the Virginia Society be amended in Article V to add a new final paragraph, and in Article XXV a new initial phrase, both amendments as follows (in red, deletions in strikethrough, additions in underlined italics):
For reference to the Code of Virginia: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title13.1/chapter10/section13.1-844.2/
ARTICLE V- MEETINGS
The annual business meeting of the Virginia Society shall be held in February of each year to commemorate the birthday of George Washington.
The semi-annual meeting of the Virginia Society shall be held in August or September of each year to commemorate Constitution Week.
Special meetings to address specified business matters or other issues may also be held at the call of the President at any time. Special meetings shall also be called whenever requested, in writing, by fifteen or more individual members of the Virginia Society. Such special meetings may transact only business specified as the reason for requesting a special meeting.
Members representing at least one half of the chapters in the Virginia Society shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any general or special meeting. One member from a specific chapter shall be sufficient to represent that chapter.
Pursuant to, and in conformity with, Code of Virginia section 13.1-844.2, as amended, the Executive Committee, acting as the equivalent of corporate board of directors, may (a) adopt appropriate procedures for any member to participate in any meeting by means of remote communication, and (b) determine, in the event of emergency or physical impracticability, that any meeting of the Virginia Society shall not be held at any place and shall instead be held solely by means of remote communication, and adopt such procedures as they deem necessary for the conduct of any such meeting.
SECTION XXV - ORDER OF BUSINESS
Subject to Article V, aAll Virginia Society meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, latest edition.
Sincerely,
Bill Schwetke
President, Virginia SAR
This is to announce the calling of two Special Meetings and post the proposed amendment to the Virginia SAR Bylaws that will be considered at these meetings.
- The first Special Meeting will be a Virginia SAR Board of Managers Meeting, at Berry Hill Resort and Conference Center, 3105 River Rd, South Boston, VA, 6:00pm*, Friday, July 10, 202
- The second Special Meeting will be a Virginia SAR General Membership Meeting, at Berry Hill Resort and Conference Center, 3105 River Rd, South Boston, VA, , 6:30pm* (or immediately following the Board of Managers Meeting, Friday, July 10, 2020.
Both meetings will consider the following proposed amendment to the Virginia SAR Bylaws:
The Bylaws of the Virginia Society be amended in Article V to add a new final paragraph, and in Article XXV a new initial phrase, both amendments as follows (in red, deletions in strikethrough, additions in underlined italics):
For reference to the Code of Virginia: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title13.1/chapter10/section13.1-844.2/
ARTICLE V- MEETINGS
The annual business meeting of the Virginia Society shall be held in February of each year to commemorate the birthday of George Washington.
The semi-annual meeting of the Virginia Society shall be held in August or September of each year to commemorate Constitution Week.
Special meetings to address specified business matters or other issues may also be held at the call of the President at any time. Special meetings shall also be called whenever requested, in writing, by fifteen or more individual members of the Virginia Society. Such special meetings may transact only business specified as the reason for requesting a special meeting.
Members representing at least one half of the chapters in the Virginia Society shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at any general or special meeting. One member from a specific chapter shall be sufficient to represent that chapter.
Pursuant to, and in conformity with, Code of Virginia section 13.1-844.2, as amended, the Executive Committee, acting as the equivalent of corporate board of directors, may (a) adopt appropriate procedures for any member to participate in any meeting by means of remote communication, and (b) determine, in the event of emergency or physical impracticability, that any meeting of the Virginia Society shall not be held at any place and shall instead be held solely by means of remote communication, and adopt such procedures as they deem necessary for the conduct of any such meeting.
SECTION XXV - ORDER OF BUSINESS
Subject to Article V, aAll Virginia Society meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, latest edition.
Sincerely,
Bill Schwetke
President, Virginia SAR
Discussion
Compatriots,
With the apparent resurgence of the pandemic and the possibility of future restrictions on our meetings, the Virginia Society must have the ability to conduct our business using modern technology such as virtual meetings. Our current Bylaws must be amended before we can do this. It is very much to our advantage to have this amendment in place before our Semi-Annual Meeting in September, thus I have called these two special meetings.
I am asking your help in having your chapter represented at both of these special meetings in the desire to have all chapters participating in the conduct of our business, and also to meet the quorum requirements to conduct business in these meetings.
The first meeting, that of the Board of Managers, will consist of all elected state officers and two members of each chapter. To have a quorum we must have half of the elected officers and at least one member from half (14) of our chapters.
Following the Board of Managers meeting, the second meeting will be that of the General Membership, which consists of all Virginia Society members in good standing. To have a quorum we must have at least one member from half (14) of our chapters.
Each Special Meeting can only consider the business specified when the meeting is called. In this case we can only consider the amendment to the Bylaws. If the amendment proves non-controversial the meetings will be very brief. It is very important that we at least meet the quorum requirements, but it is also desired that every chapter be represented at these meetings. It is not required that a chapter is represented by its president, but I ask each chapter president to find at least one chapter member to represent your chapter at these meetings.
Arrangements have been made for a special room rate for those who wish to spend the night at Berry Hill. Please watch this space for details on how to book your room.
When you come, be sure to bring a mask and we are working on the plan for social distancing.
Sincerely,
Bill Schwetke
President, Virginia SAR
With the apparent resurgence of the pandemic and the possibility of future restrictions on our meetings, the Virginia Society must have the ability to conduct our business using modern technology such as virtual meetings. Our current Bylaws must be amended before we can do this. It is very much to our advantage to have this amendment in place before our Semi-Annual Meeting in September, thus I have called these two special meetings.
I am asking your help in having your chapter represented at both of these special meetings in the desire to have all chapters participating in the conduct of our business, and also to meet the quorum requirements to conduct business in these meetings.
The first meeting, that of the Board of Managers, will consist of all elected state officers and two members of each chapter. To have a quorum we must have half of the elected officers and at least one member from half (14) of our chapters.
Following the Board of Managers meeting, the second meeting will be that of the General Membership, which consists of all Virginia Society members in good standing. To have a quorum we must have at least one member from half (14) of our chapters.
Each Special Meeting can only consider the business specified when the meeting is called. In this case we can only consider the amendment to the Bylaws. If the amendment proves non-controversial the meetings will be very brief. It is very important that we at least meet the quorum requirements, but it is also desired that every chapter be represented at these meetings. It is not required that a chapter is represented by its president, but I ask each chapter president to find at least one chapter member to represent your chapter at these meetings.
Arrangements have been made for a special room rate for those who wish to spend the night at Berry Hill. Please watch this space for details on how to book your room.
When you come, be sure to bring a mask and we are working on the plan for social distancing.
Sincerely,
Bill Schwetke
President, Virginia SAR
MORE INFORMATION ON LODGING AND MEALS
Date; Friday, July 10, 2020
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Berry Hill Resort and Conference Center
3105 River Road
South Boston, VA 24592
(434) 517-7000
Room: The Ball Room
Lodging
All rooms have been reserved according to your requests and you must check in at the hotel registration desk before incurring any miscellaneous room charges.
Those compatriots who did not specify the type of room have been assigned a "Queen Bed" room.
Cost per night is $125.00 plus applicable taxes
Check in time is 3:00 pm; check out time is 1:30 pm
Friday Evening Buffet
You may partake of a grilled hot dog and hamburger buffet including condiments, cookies and sweet/unsweetened tea at a cost of $22.00 per person with payment to be made preceding the 6:00 pm meeting. The buffet will be available at 7:30 pm with a cash bar consisting of beer, wine and soft drinks starting at 7:00 pm.(The hotel requires a count for the buffet so I need to know by Tuesday, July 7th whether or not you and/or your guest(s) will attend the buffet)
Saturday Morning Breakfast
Continental Breakfast included with the room, 7:00am - 10:00am
Time: 6:00 pm
Place: Berry Hill Resort and Conference Center
3105 River Road
South Boston, VA 24592
(434) 517-7000
Room: The Ball Room
Lodging
All rooms have been reserved according to your requests and you must check in at the hotel registration desk before incurring any miscellaneous room charges.
Those compatriots who did not specify the type of room have been assigned a "Queen Bed" room.
Cost per night is $125.00 plus applicable taxes
Check in time is 3:00 pm; check out time is 1:30 pm
Friday Evening Buffet
You may partake of a grilled hot dog and hamburger buffet including condiments, cookies and sweet/unsweetened tea at a cost of $22.00 per person with payment to be made preceding the 6:00 pm meeting. The buffet will be available at 7:30 pm with a cash bar consisting of beer, wine and soft drinks starting at 7:00 pm.(The hotel requires a count for the buffet so I need to know by Tuesday, July 7th whether or not you and/or your guest(s) will attend the buffet)
Saturday Morning Breakfast
Continental Breakfast included with the room, 7:00am - 10:00am
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